The 2nd African STACK Conference for Undergraduate Mathematics was hosted by System for Teaching Assessment using a Computer Algebra Kernel (STACK), an online-based open-source mathematics solution assessment system, at TU-K. The five-day conference was set up to train Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) members of teaching staff from various universities across Africa.
Speaking at the African STACK conference, Dr. David Stern, a Director and Mathematical Scientist at Innovations in Development, Education and the Mathematical Sciences (IDEMS) affirmed that STACK is interested in learning from African universities in several areas, including; mode of teaching, student learning, assessment, research, as well as improvement and localising the system.
“This is a significant event that allows all of us to learn, share ideas from across the board,” Dr. Stern said.
He further noted that Africa is uniquely positioned to lead in the large-scale adoption of digital technologies for the formative assessment of undergraduate mathematics.
The conference served as a platform for lecturers to share their experiences incorporating STACK into teaching undergraduate courses, including their methodologies and observed impacts.
The conference also aimed at bridging gaps between mathematics educators with experience and access to STACK resources and the pressing need for support in teaching and formative assessment with immediate feedback in mathematics within African universities.
The institution has since established the African STACK Community Leadership Team and has granted access to IDEMS’ Open Question Banks (OQB) of STACK questions, to foster widespread adoption and institutionalisation of STACK for continuous assessment with timely feedback across African institutions.
This would help in resolving the universal challenges of mathematics and STEM-related assessments.
Some of the keynote speakers during the conference included Prof. Chris Sangwin, University of Edinburgh and Chairperson of the STACK International Advisory Board (STACK IAB), Dr Michael Obiero Oyengo, Maseno University, member of STACK IAB and vice chair of the Kenya Mathematical Society (KMS).
Other keynote speakers included Dr. Beth Nyambura Kiratu, TU-K and Treasurer at KMS, Dr. Franca Hoffmann, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), US, International Scientific Advisor at Quantum Leap Africa, at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Dr. Mary Achieng Ochieng, Strathmore University, and member of the African STACK Community Leadership team and Mr. Zach Mbasu, Executive Director, Innodem.
Mathematics communities and representatives from countries including Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Germany, France and Italy attended the conference.
Delegations from universities in Kenya including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, TU-K, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Maseno University, the Open University of Kenya, Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi also attended.
They were received by Prof. George Amolo, Ag Executive Dean, FAST, Prof. Levi Mbugua, Director, School of Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences (SMAS), and Ag. DVC Academics and Students Affairs Prof. Francis Gatheri, who represented the VC, Prof. Benedict Mutua. Staff and students from SMAS also attended the conference.
Prof. Gatheri noted that the university will offer any necessary support to the program.
“We are happy to host you here and appreciate your effort and time to interact with us, I am excited as a mathematician to learn this new technology for assessment, this is a plus for me as a teacher,” Prof. Gatheri said.
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